恭敬不如從命 gōng jìng bù rú cóng mìng

DEFINITIONS

  1. deference is no substitute for obedience (idiom)
  2. (said to accept sb's request, invitation etc)

CHARACTERS

恭 gōng
HSK 5
respectful, polite, reverent
敬 jìng
HSK 5
respect, honor; respectfully
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
如 rú
HSK 3
if, supposing; as if; like, as
從 cóng from, by, since, whence, through
命 mìng
HSK 4
life; destiny, fate, luck; an order, instruction